Sulaimon resurfaces in point guard role for Duke

Duke’s Rasheed Sulaimon takes off on a drive as Florida State’s Brandon Allen defends during a recent game.

The Associated Press

By Adam Smith / Times-News

Published: Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 01:15 AM.

DURHAM — The irony of his resurfacing in the Duke starting lineup at point guard isn’t lost on Rasheed Sulaimon.

The struggles of two months ago that kept Sulaimon parked on the bench throughout the Blue Devils’ national spotlight game against Michigan, and playing minimal minutes in others, actually have become the genesis of his recent rising confidence and improved performances.

“It’s crazy how things work,” he said. “I just try to take what happened to me earlier this season and just use it and remember where I came from. I have to continue to not get too high or get too low, just continue to work hard and keep my head down.”

The 6-foot-4 Sulaimon, Duke’s shooting guard as a freshman last season, started at point guard earlier this week and supplied 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals in an 83-63 defeat of Wake Forest.

He replaced Quinn Cook, the team’s assists leader, who came off the bench for only the second time this season.

It was an attacking, asserting effort from Sulaimon, who said his burgeoning comfort in being a primary ball-handler began to take root in December, when he had been demoted to Duke’s second unit and handled point guard duties in practices against the starters.

“It kind of started at the time when I wasn’t really playing that much,” Sulaimon said. “They say everything happens for a reason. They say good things come to those who continue to work hard, so I guess that’s what’s happening now. I just tried to continue to work hard.”

Sulaimon said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s use of pick-and-roll situations and creatively spaced plays has allowed him plenty of openings to drive and penetrate defenses.

Cook’s rough patches in Duke’s epic overtime loss at Syracuse last weekend — he shot 2-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-8 on 3-pointers — shifted Sulaimon into an increasing amount of point guard work.

He memorably caught an inbounds pass, took several dribbles and drilled the 3 at the regulation buzzer that forced overtime.

Then Cook logged 18 minutes off the bench Tuesday night against Wake Forest, as Sulaimon clearly took the reins, playing a team-high 37 minutes for the Blue Devils.

“You’ve got to be ready for anything,” Sulaimon said. “That’s the way I’ve been preparing lately.”

Tip-off

Who: No. 11 Duke (18-5, 6-3) at Boston College (6-15, 2-6)

When: 6 tonight (ESPN)

Where: Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Series: Duke leads 16-2 and has won the last seven meetings

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DURHAM — The irony of his resurfacing in the Duke starting lineup at point guard isn’t lost on Rasheed Sulaimon.

The struggles of two months ago that kept Sulaimon parked on the bench throughout the Blue Devils’ national spotlight game against Michigan, and playing minimal minutes in others, actually have become the genesis of his recent rising confidence and improved performances.

“It’s crazy how things work,” he said. “I just try to take what happened to me earlier this season and just use it and remember where I came from. I have to continue to not get too high or get too low, just continue to work hard and keep my head down.”

The 6-foot-4 Sulaimon, Duke’s shooting guard as a freshman last season, started at point guard earlier this week and supplied 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals in an 83-63 defeat of Wake Forest.

He replaced Quinn Cook, the team’s assists leader, who came off the bench for only the second time this season.

It was an attacking, asserting effort from Sulaimon, who said his burgeoning comfort in being a primary ball-handler began to take root in December, when he had been demoted to Duke’s second unit and handled point guard duties in practices against the starters.

“It kind of started at the time when I wasn’t really playing that much,” Sulaimon said. “They say everything happens for a reason. They say good things come to those who continue to work hard, so I guess that’s what’s happening now. I just tried to continue to work hard.”

Sulaimon said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s use of pick-and-roll situations and creatively spaced plays has allowed him plenty of openings to drive and penetrate defenses.

Cook’s rough patches in Duke’s epic overtime loss at Syracuse last weekend — he shot 2-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-8 on 3-pointers — shifted Sulaimon into an increasing amount of point guard work.

He memorably caught an inbounds pass, took several dribbles and drilled the 3 at the regulation buzzer that forced overtime.

Then Cook logged 18 minutes off the bench Tuesday night against Wake Forest, as Sulaimon clearly took the reins, playing a team-high 37 minutes for the Blue Devils.

“You’ve got to be ready for anything,” Sulaimon said. “That’s the way I’ve been preparing lately.”